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Five Other Views with a Pew

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Vienna, Austria: Scottish Abbey

Monks first set up house at the Scottish Abbey in 1155, when the ruling Babenbergers invited the Scottish Benedictines to run an independent church and monastery here. In addition to a plum piece of real estate, they were given the privilege of granting asylum for up to three days to whomever they pleased—pilgrims or fugitives. Eight centuries later, they remain true to the practice of welcoming strangers, although guests now stay in the wing atop the oldest surviving part of the church—the atmospheric Romanesque chapel—and for longer than three days if they wish.

Corporeal Concerns Rooms are large and comfortable, with telephones and a ’60s aesthetic: plush tweed chairs, built–in wood furniture, and orange curtains. Bathrooms are newly renovated.

Daily Bread Breakfast is a hearty buffet of locally made cold cuts, cheeses, and rolls, as well as muesli, yogurt, and fruit. Don’t miss the jams, especially the Weichsel (sour cherry) and Marillen (apricot).

Spirits Alcohol is not permitted.

Golden Rule Staff are courteous, and rooms are cleaned daily.

Special Concerns Weekends are popular, so be sure to book ahead.

Extras Tours of the monastery—including the school, inner courtyards, and museum—are given on Saturdays. One of many highlights is the fifteenth–century altarpiece depicting the Holy Family in flight into Egypt, with Vienna painted conspicuously in the background.

Serenity Index High. Despite the abbey’s being in the center of the city, even with windows wide open the only sounds are the wind, the birds, and the bells that chime every quarter hour.

After falling ill in 1941, Henri Matisse was cared for by Dominican Sister Jacques–Marie of Maison Lacordaire in Vence. As a symbol of his gratitude, he collaborated with her to build the Chapelle du Rosaire in the nuns’ garden, completed in 1951. In the 1990s, the convent opened its doors to visitors. Guests are encouraged to engage in the daily spiritual activities (two Masses are said in the chapel each day), although participation is not obligatory.

Corporeal Concerns The two Belle Époque villas and the chapel are located in the gardens, a beautiful and tranquil paradise. Rooms and facilities are simple but adequately equipped and clean.

Daily Bread Guests dine with the nuns in a common room. The house employs a cook, but don’t expect the menu to be à la carte.

Spirits Wine is served with meals, and alcohol is permitted in the guest rooms.

Golden Rule The sisters have a very open–minded attitude toward visitors and request only common etiquette. They do emphasize that the house is not a hotel, so guests make their own beds; do not expect to be served.

Extras There are painting and sculpture classes, as well as opportunities for religious and spiritual instruction.

Special Concerns Book well in advance.

Serenity Index Medium. Popularity puts a dent in the score here, but the chapel, flooded with light and color, and the beautiful garden and terraces overlooking the sea are perfect for meditating or simply relaxing.

A medieval convent completely rebuilt in the eighteenth century, Casa di Santa Brigida is spectacularly located in the Piazza Farnese, a short walk to nearly every major monument. Nuns in traditional habits cheerfully clean, cook, and serve guests, following the order’s rule of hospitality. Profits are sent to their poorer sisters in India, the Philippines, and Cuba.

Corporeal Concerns Rooms are simple and elegant, with freshly painted yellow walls and parquet floors; all have air–conditioning and pristine bathrooms. Unexpected amenities include makeup lights on the bathroom mirror and large fluffy towels.

Daily Bread Simple home–style cooking with fresh ingredients.

Spirits Wine is served with meals, but you’ll find a much better selection in the adjacent Campo de’ Fiori. Take a bottle up to the roof terrace and listen to buskers making music in the piazza below.

Golden Rule The nuns are welcoming and kind.

Extras Don’t miss vespers at 4:30 p.m.: The spiritual atmosphere created by the sisters singing Gregorian chants in an intimate church is far more inspiring than services at St. Peter’s Basilica with droves of tourists milling about.

Serenity Index Medium. Inside the convent, tranquility reigns, but outside, you’re in the heart of raucous Roma, with the din of motorini and tour groups. The babel of nighttime revelers from the Campo de’ Fiori can be annoying despite the soundproof windows. Light sleepers should ask for an inside room or bring earplugs.

Details 39–06–688–925–96; brigidine.org; doubles, $132–$228.

**Carmel Valley, United States: Tassajara Zen Mountain Center **

Cradled in a remote river valley in California’s Ventana Wilderness, Tassajara opens its doors to guests and dharma seekers from April through September. Sitting meditation is practiced daily at 5:20 a.m. You’ll also find miles of trails to explore, traditional Japanese baths, steam houses, and the clear and cold Tassajara River.

Corporeal Concerns There are many accommodations from which to choose, including private stone cottages with decks overlooking the river, simple dormitory cabins with shared bathrooms, yurts, and Japanese tatami cabins that are good for groups.

Daily Bread Tassajara is known for its wholesome and delicious vegetarian meals, prepared using organic produce grown on the property and served in a dining hall with river views. Lunch can be packed up in a brown bag for picnicking.

Spirits Alcohol is not served, although you may bring your own.

Golden Rule Volunteer your services in exchange for a discounted stay. Jobs include helping out in the garden or the kitchen and cleaning rooms.

Special Concerns There’s no electricity in the rooms—kerosene lamps illuminate your abode—and no cell service.

Extras Massages are available for a fee.

Serenity Index High. The natural setting is staggeringly beautiful, and the atmosphere is convivial and welcoming without imposed expectations or stringent rules. Basically, Tassajara is an experience of your own making—and what could be more Zen than that?

Details sfzc.org/tassajara; doubles, $200–$370.

Kent, England: The Friars

Thirty miles from London (take the train from Victoria Station to Maidstone East, then a taxi), this community of Carmelite friars on the River Medway, near Maidstone, was founded in 1242, but it fell into private hands after Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries in 1538. The Carmelites returned in 1949 and have welcomed guests from all denominations ever since.

Corporeal Concerns Stone walls, oak beams, and latticed windows place you in the Middle Ages. Guest quarters are simple, most with shared bathrooms (room 36 is recommended). Television is available in the two lounges.

Daily Bread Meals are served in the three–story, thirteenth–century Pilgrims’ Hall, where pilgrims would stop for the night en route to Canterbury. It’s basic English food—the three–course lunch might be soup, roast pork, and rice pudding.

Spirits Full or quarter bottles of wine can be ordered.

Golden Rule Reception staff are friendly and helpful. They will recommend places to visit but don’t arrange outside tours.

Extras Vivid ceramics by Polish artist Adam Kossowski are displayed in the various chapels and along the Rosary Way path. Visitors can watch local potters and upholsterers at work and buy their wares.

Serenity Index High. The Friars is a place of peace where you can linger by the pond with two resident black swans.